Tank cleaning apparatus



5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 26, 1943. c. l-:LqsE'NKE TANK CLEANING APPARATUS vFiled May 6, 1940 Octf 26, 1943. c. E. sENKE TANK CLEANING APPARATUSFiled lay 6, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 la INVENTOR. CZWZQSE $672763-z-.SATTORNEYS Oct. 26, 1943. c, E. sENKE v TANK CLEANING APPARATUS 5Sheetzs-Sheet` 3 Filed May 6. 1940 vas ATTORNEYS.

c. E. sENKE 2,332,940

TANK CLEANING APPARATUS Oct. 26, 1943.

5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed nay e,v 1940 Wwf@ aarzelrsenke BY Mfw Oct. 26,1943. c. E. sENKE TANK CLEANING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 6,1940 INVENTOR.

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Patented Oct. 26, 1943 UN ITE-D STAT ES PAT ENT OFFICE 26 Claims.

Application May 6, 1940, Serial No. 333,590

(Cl. ZIO- 206) The present invention relates to tank cleaning apparatus,and more particularly to means for removing from liquid storagetankssuch, for eX- ample, as storage tanks for fuel oil and other liquids,the sludge, sediment, or other refuse material which collects or isdeposited therein during use. The present invention is a continuation inpart of my ccpending application, Serial No. 136,306, led April 12,1937.

An object of my invention is to provide an efcient apparatus for rapidlyand effectively cleaning fuel oil or gasoline tanks or tanks forcontaining other liquids, particularly that type of `tank through whichonly a small opening is available for the insertion of cleaning tools.

Another object of my invention is to provide apparatus for scrubbing,scraping, and ushing substantially the entire inner side walls of aliquid storage tank so as to loosen and collect the sludge, sediment, orother refuse material, and thus render the refuse material capable ofbeing sucked or drawn'by the apparatus of my invention, from the tank.

Another object of my invention is to provide an eicient apparatus whichcan be readily in- 'serted through the relatively small opening norsothat a tank of substantially any size, shape and location may beeffectively and expeditiously cleaned.

My invention further contemplates the provision of apparatus which,after insertion in the tank through the usual small lling openingtherein, may be manipulated effectively to actuate-any one of varioustools, located at the end of the apparatus, to sweep the tools oversubstantially the entire bottom and side walls of the tank so as toflush the tank and loosen and remove scale, rust, sludge, sediment,water or other refuse materials fromthe tank.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will 'be particularlypointed out in the claims and will be apparent fromthe followingdescription,.when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Fig. l is a sectional view illustrating an underground tank with whichthe tank cleaning apparatus of my invention, shown generally, is adaptedto be used;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view, partly in section, showing a portion of theapparatus of Fig. 1, illustrating the manner in which the tool actuatingstructure is inserted and supported in the tank with the working or toolend of the apparatus on the bottom of the tank;

Fig. 3 is aside elevation of a portion of Fig. 2, showing the tool,theyflexible'hose therefor, and the tool and hose actuating parts intheir in line position;

. Fig. 4 is a view showing the suction tool and hose actuatingmechanism, as viewed from the top thereof; l

Fig. 5 is a View taken substantially on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4, in thedirection indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a View taken substantially on the line 6 6 of Fig. 4, in thedirection indicated by the arrows; l

Fig. 7 is a View showing a section of the hose adjacent the tool end;

Fig. 8 is a view, partly in section, taken substantially on the line 8 8of Fig. 7, in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 9 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line 9 9 of Fig.7, in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. l0 is a sectional View of the iiushing and suction tool adapted tobe used in the apparatus of my invention; t

Fig. 11 is a View taken substantially on the line l I ll of Fig. l0, inthe direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 12 is a View showing a brush for scrubbing the inside of the tankjapplied to a somewhat modied form of iiexible tool actuating apparatus;

Fig. 13 is a top View of Fig. 12;

Fi-g. 14 is a horizontal sectional View of the flexible tool actuatingapparatus of Fig, 12;

Fig. 15 is a view taken substantiallyon :the line |5 l5 of Fig. 14, inthe direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged Fig. 12;

Fig.. 17 is a top View, partly in section, of the brush and itssupporting parts, showing the spring for holding the brush in the properposition for use;

Fig. 18 shows a modified form of suction tool which may be used with theapparatus of my invention;

Fig. 19 shows a `view of the brush of modified formr of myl invention,

particularly useful for cleaning tanks so located that the head room islimited, as in a cellar tank;

Fig. 20 is a View, partly in section, showing the tool and flexible hoseactuating apparatus of Fig. 19 on an enlarged scale;

Figs. 21 and 22 show the complementary sections of tubing used in makingup the tool and flexible hose actuating apparatus of Fig. 19;

Fig. 23 is a View, partly in section, showing a modified form offlexible hose which'may be used with the tank cleaning apparatus shownin Fig. 19;

Fig. 24 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line 24--24 ofFig. 23, in the direction in dicated by the arrows;

Fig. 25 is a View showing another form of tool and flexible hoseactuating apparatus;

Fig. 26 is a view of the apparatus ofV Fig. 25, equipped with anextension for cleaning tanks of greater depth;

Fi-g. 27 is a view showing a modified form of tool and flexible hoseactuating apparatus, having mounted onv the end thereof a combinedscraping, suction, and flushing tool;

Fig. 28 is a sectional view showing the com bined scraping, suction, andflushing tool of Fig. 27;

Fig. 29 is a perspective view showing the scraper bar assembly of thetool of Fig. 28;

Fig. 30 is a View taken substantially on the line 30-30 of Fig. 28, inthe direction indicated by the arrows; and

Fig. 3l is a view showing the tool of Fig. 30 in operation.

Sludge, sediment and other refuse materials accumulate on the bottom andside Walls of tanks used for containing fuel oil, gasoline, and otherliquid materials. This sludge and sediment collects or is deposited, inparticular, on the bottom and side walls of fuel oil tanks and theinvention will be described in this connection, although it will beunderstood that the apparatus has otherl uses. This sludge consists ofscale Vand rust which form on the inside of the tank and tend togradually drop to the bottom ofthe tank. In addition, sedimentaccumulates from the oil. Moreover, because of temperature changes,condensation occurs on the inside of the tank.

The sludge or sediment produced by this mixture of materials isextremely dimcult to remove from the tank bottom and walls, particularlyin the case of a tank for the storage of fuel' oil. The sludge orsediment should be removed from a fuel oil tank as it is likely to bedrawn through the suction fuel line toward or to the burner, with theresult that the suction fuel line strainer and the burner nozzle arelikely to become clogged. The apparatus of my invention has beendeveloped for the purpose of removing such sludge, sediment, water orother waste materials accumulating in fuel oil, gasoline, or otherliquid storage tanks.

A further difficulty encountered is that while tanks are usuallyinstalled horizontally, various factors, including frost in the case ofground tanks, tends to tip the tank perhaps in a direction away from thefilling opening. Moreover, particularly in the case of gasoline tanks,Water accumulates and, of course, settles at the lowest point in thetank. 'I'he apparatus of my invention is adapted to remove such refusematerial, including water, from the portions of the tank most remotefrom the filling opening.

The storage tanks with which my invention is concerned may be variouslylocated as underground or in a basement where head room is an importantfactor. Moreover, the tanks may be of various sizes and shapes and thesmall openings through which the tanks must be cleaned may be arrangedso that access thereto is diillcult. For this reason variousarrangements of apparatus must be available for meeting the variableconditions encountered. I, therefore, have provided flexible apparatusfor meeting these variable conditions so that a tank of most any size,shape and location may be cleaned.

In Fig. 1 I have illustrated an underground fuel oil supply or storagetank, generally indicated by the numeral II. While I have shown theinvention, in this particular view, as applied to an underground tank,it will be appreciated that this is merely for purposes of illustrationand that the apparatus shown may be used with tanks otherwise located.The tank may be of any desired size or shape, although usually fuel oilstorage tanks are cylindrically or somewhat ovally shaped. Theapparatus, by way of illustration, will be described, insofar as itsoperation is concerned, in connection with the cleaning of tanks havinga bottom with upwardly curving side walls since this is the most usualtype encountered. When the tank is buried beneath the ground level, theinlet opening I2 thereof is customarily provided with an inlet pipe I3which projects to or above the ground level. The pipe is normallycovered by a cap (not shown) and enters the tank through, usually, athreaded boss I5.

The apparatus for removing the sludge, sediment, or other Waste materialfrom the tank comprises, in general, a flexible member or hose.generally indicated by the numeral I4, a flexible member or hoseactuating apparatus, indicated as a whole by the numeral I6, and a toolI1 connected to the flexible member. The tool and the flexible member orhose are adapted to be manipulated or moved over the bottom and portionsof the side walls of the tank by the actuating ap paratus I6.

The illustration in Fig. l is that of an apparatus for flushing the tankor sucking the sludge or sediment from the bottom and side walls of thetank and, therefore, the flexible member is in the form of a hose, asection of which is shown in Fig. 9. When the apparatus is to be usedmerely to brush, scrape or scrub the inside of the tank, a flexible rod,to which a, brush or other implement is attached, may be used instead oia hose. Since, however, the apparatus has been designed particularly forcleaning the tank and removing the sludge from the inside of the tank,it is preferable that the flexible member I4 be hollow and in the formof a hose.

The outer end of the hose may be connected in any suitable manner, asshown in Fig. 1, to a combined suction and pressure pump I8. A pipe I9is connected to the pump I8 and serves as an inlet for flushingmaterials, or as an outlet for the sludge. The pump is driven by a,motor 2|. The pump may be of such type that, upon reversing thedirection of rotation of the motor, the pump may be used alternately asa vacuum or pressure pump. When used as a vacuum pump any suitablemethod may be employed to prime the pump as is well known in the pumpart.

The flexible member or hose (Fig'sJZ, 7, 8, and 9) comprises a flexibletube 2.1 of .rubber or any other suitable ilexiblematerial and a seriesof pivotally connected, preferably metal, links 28.

vOne of the most important aspects of my invention is the arrangement ofthe links to hold the flexible member or hose rigid in'one direction orin oneplane, whileperxnitting'it to flex substantially freely in thatplane. The importance of thisarrangement in-mam'pulating tools over thebottom of a tank will later appear. The links may be applied-on theoutside of' the hose, asillustrated in Fig. 2, or may be applied on theinside otthe'hose, as shown in Figs. 23 and-24. In the formof theinvention shown in Figs. 2, 'A7, 8, and 9, the links are appled'on theAoutside of the hose and are connected -together-by-pivot pins 29;Preferably the links extend substantially the full length ofthefhosealthoug'hfas yillustrated in Fig. 27,-itis-sornetimes'desrableIto have 4only a short section of the hose orconduit flexible.

yAs shown in `Fig.'9, vthe pivot pins v29 extend through aperturesformed in opposite sides of the hose. Mounted on each of the pivot pinson the inside of the hose is a bushing 32, preferably of somewhatshorter length than theinternaldiameterof the hose. The hose is drawninto oval form, as shown in Fig. 9, by applying nuts 33 to the ends ofthepivot pins and drawing the nuts up tightly to squeeze the hose at thesides so that the inner side Walls of the hose tightly engage and sealagainst the ends of the bushing. By thus drawing the hoseagainst thebushing ya substantially air-tight pivot connection is formed so that asuction may be applied by the pump I8 without losing vacuum by leakageat the margins of thepivot pins. Moreover, I find it desirable influshing the tank to sometimes use rather high pressure, perhaps as highas 100 pounds. The sealing of the plvotsiprevents the loss of pressure.After the nuts are drawn up tightly so that the hose is in somewhat theshape shown in Fig. 9, the ends ofr the pivot pins, as indicated at 34,may be upset or peaned so as to lock the threads of the pivot pinswiththose of the nuts and hold the parts in the position shown.

The end of the hose is provided with a fitting 36 which may be securedto the end 'of the hose. Rigid links 30 are provided, 'each of which hasone end secured to the last of the series of pivot pins. The tting 36,the rigid links 30, and the hose are secured together by nut and bolt`assemblies 31. The fitting 36 may be threaded, as shown at 35, for thereception of the too1 I'1. Any one of rvarious tools maybe secured tothefitting. `In Fig. I have illustrated a too1 which may be used either tosupply a fiushing liquid to thetank or may be used to draw orsucksludg'e, or sludge together with aflushing liquid, from the tank.

The tool I1 may be Agenerally cylindrical Ior any other suitable shapeand may be provided with a threaded end, as shown at 38, for receptionin the end of the fitting 36. The threaded end of .the too1 is providedwith a bore 39 which opens into a. chamber 4I. The bottom of the tool ispreferably provided with feet 42 adapted to hold the too1 just slightlyoil the walls of the tank and permit the tool to be moved or slid overthe walls. The chamber is provided' preferably with a bottom suctionopening 43 normally closed-by a plate or valve 44. The plate 44 is heldin closed position' against the margins ofthe bottom openling by springs46. The springsmay be retained in position in any suitable manner,` asby elements 45 (Fig. 11) threaded into the walls of 4thetool and in theplate 44.

When a suction is applied through the hose the reducedpressure inthechamber 4l causes the plate 44 to rise against the action of thespringsso4 as to permit sludge or other refusezmalil ried by the tubularmember52.

terial, together with liquid, to be drawn through the opening y43 intothe chamber 4l and thence through the suction hose to the pump IB. Theto'ol I1 mayalso be employed for the purpose of supplying a, flushingliquid to the tank. For this purposepreferably the forward end of thetoo1` is provided with a bored fitting 41 threaded into awall 46 of thechambrer'4l. The fitting'41 is provided with a flapper 'valve'49 whichis pivotally mounted and is normally held in closed position by gravity.In addition, the valve 49 is held in 'closed yposition by the suction inthe chamber 4I when the too1 is being used for withdrawing sludge fromthe tank. When, however, the apparatus is being used to supply aflushing liquid to the tank, the pressure of the liquid opens the valvev49 andpermits thedischarge of flushing material into the tank. Thebored fitting thenserves as a nozzle through which the ushing liquid maybe sprayed on the walls under pressure. The end or nose of the tool'ispreferably rounded, as `indicated at 5I, for a purpose which will laterappear.

The apparatus i6 for manipulating the exible member or hose so as tomove the tool over the bottom and side walls of the tank is shown mostclearly in Figs. 2, 3, and 4. This apparatus comprises a tubular member52 of somewhat larger diameter than the hose so that the hose may bereadily moved therethrough, as indicated in Fig. 2. The tube is providedat its lower end with an velongated longitudinally extending opening 53V(Fig. 4), and has pivoted at its lower end, as at 54, a tubular guidemember 56. The guide member has an opening or cut-away portion 51 whichmerges into the opening 53 when the parts are bent into the relationshipshown in Fig. 2. The cut-away parts permit the hose to occupy a moresmoothly curved position than the right angle position of the tubularmember 52 with respect to the tubular guide member 56 shown in Fig. 2.

It will be appreciated that in inserting the tubular members 52 and 56into the tank, the members pivot with respect to each other so as tomove from the straight line position of the parts, shown in Fig. 3,tothe angular position of Fig. 2. When'ln their angular position theedges ofthe tubular members butt aginst each other v'at 6U so that theyare substantially rigid with respect toeach other.

The tubular members-52 and 56 may be connected together-by a strap 6|riveted to the tubular guide member 56, as shown at 62, and pivoted tothe tubular member 52 by a pivot pin 63. The pivot-pin63, in order toreinforce the pivot, may be tapered vand bent toward its ends, as shownin Fig. 6, and theend swaged against the sides of the tube as shown. Anextension 64 of the tubular guide member 56, when the parts are in theirstraight line position, engages a stop pin 66 car- The extension 64engages the stop pin 66 so as to pervent the parts-from swinging beyondtheir straight line position shown in Figs. Band 5.

In settingup the apparatus for use and before inserting the apparatus'inthe tank opening, the

flexible member or hose, without the tool I1 applied thereto, isflrstthreaded through the tubular members or sections 52 and 56 whichconstitute the actuating apparatus for the hose and too1. 'With the hosein a position extended beyond the end of the tubular member 56, the

tool is applied tothe endv of the hose. The parts then occupy thestraight line position shownin Fig. "3. With the parts inthis--positicnthe-tubular members, together with the hose and tool carried thereby,are inserted in the inlet pipe` |3 vto the tank.

When the nose 5I of the tool engages the bottom of the tank, because oftherounded shape of the nose, a force exerted on th'e protruding end ofthe apparatus causes the tool to be deflected so as to move along thebottomof the tank upon further feeding the tubular sections into thetank. The deection of the tool will cause thetubular guide section 56 toswing at 511v about the pivot pin 63. Upon continuing to advance thetubular sections within the tank the hose will tend to bend at a pointopposite the pivotal point 54 of the sections and will allow the tubularguide section 56 to assume a position parallel to and adjacent thebottom of the tank, as shown in- Fig. 2.

With the parts in the approximate positivo-n shown in Fig. 2, thetubular section 52 is preferably lifted slightly so as to raise thelower end 1I of the tubular section 52 slightly abovethe bottom of thetank. The parts may be held in this position by applying a collar l2 Ionthe tubular member 52 and tightening it in position by means of aset-screw 13, so that the collar rests on the top of the inlet pipe I3.The collar is then rigid with the tubular member 52 and forms a bearingon the protruding end of the inlet pipe `when the apparatus is operated,as will be presently described. A handle 14, shown more clearly in Fig.4, is applied to the protruding end of the tubular member 52 for thepurpose of swinging the tubular member 52 about a vertical axis. Thehandle 14 may be formed by two semi-circular portions 16 having handleextensions. The semicircular portions extend around the tubular memberand are clamped to the tubular member by means of thumb-screws l1 or anyother suitable means.

To facilitate movement of the hose through the supporting and guidingtubular sections 52 and 56, as shown in Fig. 2, small rollers 18 aremounted in position in the tubular member 52 preferably just above thetop of the elongated opening 53. The rollers are supported by pinscarried by the tubular member 52 and the rollers are in a position tovcontact the hose as the hose is fed through the tubular members. Therollers not only facilitate feeding of the hose, but also prevent wearon the hose, as it will be appreciated that the hose by reason of thebending thereof tends to bear against the upper margins of the elongatedopening 53.

Means are provided for protecting the exposed bent portions of the hose,lying oppositethe pivot point 54 of the tubular sections, whenwithdrawing the cleaning device from the tank. This means comprises aguard 'i9 which may be pivoted on the same pin which carries the lowerof the two rollers i8. The guard may be of any suitable shape andoverlies the bent portion of the hose, as shown in Fig. 2. If theapparatus were withdrawn from the tank without employing a guard, thebent portion of the hose would, in all probability, come in contact withthe margins 8| ofthe tank opening and would, in the course of time,become damaged byrubbing at this point. However, in withdrawing theapparatus this is avoided by the guard which engages the margins 8l ofthe tank inlet opening. Upon engagement, the free end of the guard willbe forced inwardly by the margins of the opening against the hose andserve to straighten out the same and swing the tubular guide member 56about the pivot point 54 into alinement; with the tubular `member 52.Thus the guard serves, in withdrawing the apparatus from the tank, notonly to straighten out the hose, but also to bring the tubular guidemember 56 into alinement with the tubular member 52.

Preferably the apparatus, whether used for ilushing or sucking sludgeand sediment from the tank, is positioned initially so that the toollies only slightly beyond the end of the tubular guide member 56, asshown in Fig. 2. By means of the handle 15 the tubular member 52 isswung about a longitudinal or vertical axis with most of the weight ofthe tubular sections and a large proportion of the weight of the hosebeing carried by the collar 12 and the tank inlet pipe I3. The tubularguide member 56 is circular in cross section, resulting in a roundedportion at the forward end 82 of the bottom, so that it may readily moveover the bottom of the tank when the tubular section 52 is swung aboutits longitudinal or vertical axis. The swinging of the tubular guidemember 56 carries with it the hose and the tool I1 so as to sweep thetool over` the walls of the tank. It will be appreciated that the links28 serve to hold the tool and the hose substantially rigidly inalinement with the tubular guide member' as the tool is moved over thetank wall.

rlhus the tool may be operated, when in operating position, as thoughthe tool were rigidly connected to the tubular guide member 56. Shouldthe tank be cylindrical or have walls which round upward from thebottom, as is usually the case, the tool may be swept up the side wallsoi the tank and the feet of the tool will remain in contact with thetank wall. In moving the tool up the curved side walls, the links willpivot slightly on each other so as to permit some iiexing of the hose,but the tool and hose will still be retained in a plane common with aplane passing through the long axis of the tubular member. It isdesirable that the tool be weighted sufficiently so that it will tend toflex the hose and not ride on its nose up the curved side walls of thetank.

After swinging or rotating the tool over the bottom of the tank so as toreach as much of the tank surface as can be reached from the initialposition of the tool, the tool may be advanced by the inward feeding ofthe hose, a distance substantially equal to its length to anotheroperating position. This distance is substantially equal to the lengthof two of the links 28, the combined length of which is preferably madeslightly less than the effective cleaning length of the tool. In otherwords, the links constitute a measuring means by which the operator canreadily determine how far to advance the tool after each swinging orrotating operation has been completed.

The operations are performed step by step until the tool has beenadvanced from one end of the tank to the other. There are, of course,certain areas of the tank which cannot be reached. However, since mostof the sludge and sediment lodges against the bottom and lower portionsof the side walls of the tank, the tank may be effectively cleaned. Thepoint 82 of the tubular guide member 56 is preferably reinforced bywelding a shoe onto the tube at this point as this is the bearing pointwhich receives most of the wear. Moreover, it will be noted that theforward end of the Atubular guide member is cut away at 8U so that whenthe apparatus is removed from the tank, the hose or conduit may buckleslightly at the cut away portion 80. The slight'bu'ckling occurs byreason of the tool engaging the bottom of the tank. As soon as the partsare lifted sufficiently to raise the tool off the bottom of the tank theparts will properly line up.

In cleaning some tanks it may not be necessary, if the sludge is loose',to brush or scrape and flush the tank. However, in the large majority ofcasesit is desirable to flush the tank with a suitable liquid. For thepurpose of flushing the tank I have found oil to be particularlyeffective. The oil tends to suspend the sludge or sediment in it so thatwhen suction is applied on the tool, the sludge and sediment, togetherwith the flushing oil, are effectively removed. It will be understoodthat in employing the apparatus to suck the flushingoil and sludge fromthe tank, it is desirable that the pump and suction hose be firstprimed. Moreover, in cleaning most tanks it is desirable, after the tankhas been flushed, to brush or scrape the walls of the tank so as toloosen the scale, rust, sludge and sediment from the walls of the tankso as to permit this material to be suspended in oil or other flushingliquid. In addition at times it is desirable rstrto brush or scrape thetank; then effectively move the tool over the Walls of the tank in astep by step operation, as described above, while supplying a ushing'oilunder pressure; then further brush and scrape the tank walls by the stepby step operation above described; and then apply suction and remove thesludge and sediment together with the flushing liquid in the mannerabove described.

For the purpose of brushing and scraping the inner side walls ofthe tankthe apparatus shown in Figs. 12 to 1'7 may be employed. The brush,generally indicated by the numeral 9|, cornprises a head 92 in which aremounted a multipliclty of heavy bristles 93 of preferably steel wire orother suitable material. The head may be weighted so that it will exerta pressure on the Walls of the tank. Moreover, to maintain the nose ofthe brush in a downward position the forward end of the brush, as at 94,may be heavily weighted with lead.

The brush'is carried by a pair of arms 96 located one on each sidethereof which are connected by a pin 91. The pin lies ina bore 98extending through the brush in which the pin is free to move. A coiledspring 99 having one end secured, as shown at |01, to one of the arms96, and its other end secured to the brush, as shown at |02, serves toaid the weight 94 at the nose of the brush and swing the rearward end ofthe brush in an upward direction, as viewed in Fig. 12. A strap |il3extends over the top of the brush and is4 connected to the arms 96 onopposite sides thereof and limits the upward movement of the rear end ofthe brush. The arms 96 are rigidly connected by means of pins |04 to theend of a flexible hose member which may be similar to that abovedescribed. However, I have found it preferable to employ a separate andsomewhat different type of flexible member for use with the brush.

The modified form of flexible member may comprise a fiexible hose ortubular member |5 of rubber or other suitable material through which areextended pivot pins |06 for the reception of the ends of links |01. Thelinks are similar to those described above, and serve to maintain theflexible member rigid in a direction perpendicular to the pins |09-while permitting the member to flex about the axes of the pins. Betweenthe pins are inserted weights |08 which may be of lead or other suitableheavy material. Rigid links |09 may be connected to the last of theseries of pivot pins |95.

A similar Weight may be provided in the forward end of the flexiblemember Which has bores for the reception of the pins |04. The pins |94also extend through the rigid links and the arms, and the arms aretherefore rigidly connected to the end of the flexible member. Thus theend of the flexible member is heavily Weighted so as to exert anappreciable pressure on the bristies of the brush so that the bristlesmay be effective to scrape and scrub scale, rust, and sludge from thebottom and side walls of the tank.

It will be understood that in assembling the structure the weights,pivot pins and links are successively assembled in the hose. After thelast weight is applied, a cap ||2 may be placed on the end of theflexible member. The weighted exible hose is fed into the tank in themanner above described, and step by step moved over the bottom and sidewalls of the tank as previously described. The hose, in use, becomesworn usually more on one side than the other and by removing the pins|94 the hose may be reversed with respect to the brush.

In Figs. 23 and 24 I have shown a linkage means for maintaining theflexible hose rigidly in one plane while permitting fiexure thereof inthat plane which linkage may be located on the inside of the flexiblehose. Each of the links HB is circular in cross section at its centralportion, and has its ends cut out at l|1 at each end so that, at eachend thereof, the links taper toward points H8. The adjacentsubstantially pointed ends of adjacent links are connected together bypivot pins ||9 so as to provide a continuous linkage. In order'th'at thelinkage shall have a substantially constant external diameter the endsof alternate links are bent inwardly slightly,as shown at |20.

The links may be forced through the inside of the hose longitudinallythereof and will permit flexure of the hose in the direction of a planeperpendicular to the axis of the pivots H9 while holding. the hose rigidagainst deformation or iiexure laterally out of such plane. The end ofthe hose may be connected to a tting by means of rivets |22, the fitting36 being similar to that previously described and being for the purposeof receiving the tool l1 or any other desired tool. The primaryadvantage of placing the links on the inside of the hose is so that theexternal surface of the hose may be smooth and uninterrupted.

Particularly in the case of cellar tanks and especially when the tanksare employed in a gravity oil feed system to the burner, the head roomis usually insufficient to permit the apparatus thus far described to beused. For such purposes I have developed the apparatus shown in Figs. 19to 1" inclusive. While this structure is essentially the same as thatpreviously described, the

tubular member, corresponding to the tubular member 52 of Fig. 2, ismade up of built up separable sections. One of the sections has beenshown in Fig. 2l, and is indicated by the numeral |26, while itscomplementary section has been shown in Fig. 22, and is indicated by thenumeral |21. y

The section shown in Fig. 21 is circular in cross A section, and has ateach end thereof a cut-out portion or notch |28. The complementarysection |21 has its internal circumference cut away so as to provide aledge |29 extending part way around the inner circumference of thesection. Spaced inwardly from the ledge |29 is a ledge |3I, which alsoextends part way around the circumference of the inside of the sectionand on the opposite side of the section from that of the ledge |29. Theother end of the section |21 is similarly formed with ledges |29 and|3I. The cut-out portions |28 in the section |26 and the ledges |29 and|3| in the section |21 are formed complementary to each other so thatthe end of the section |26 may be interfltted with the end of thesection |21. Preferably the cutouts |28 and the ledges |29 and |3| eachare substantially semi-circular.

It will be appreciated that the external diameter of the section |21 islarger than that of the section |26 so that the section |26 maytelescope within the section 21. When the sections are assembled, asshown in Fig. 20, it will be appreciated that the cut-outs |28 formabutments |32 at each end thereof, while the ledges |29 and |3| formabutments |33 on the iner circumference of the sections |21. Theengagement of the abutments |32 and |33 formed in the sections enablesthe assembled tube to be rotated by means of a handle |34 as though itwere a continuous piece of tubing.

In this arangement a tubular guide member |36, similar to the tubularguide member 56 of Fig. 2, may be provided to which is pivotallysecured, as shown .at |31, a short tubular section |38 which is similarto the lower portion of the tubular member 52 of Fig. 2. The hose isassembled with relation to these two tubular parts and lowered into thetank, as shown in Fig. 19. In this arrangement the tubular members arenot supported on the tank opening by a collar similar to the colar 12,but instead the tubular guide section |36 lies on the bottom of thetank. The top of the tubular section |38 is provided with a cut-outnotch at its upper end similar to the notch |28 in the tubular section|26, shown in Fig. 21. The notch thus formed is adapted to receive thelower end of a section similar to that shown in Fig. 22.

The separate sections |26 and |21, forming the operating tube for thetool |1 and flexible hose, may be assembled by supporting the tool |1,the tubular sections |36 and |31, and the hose adjacent the top of thetank while the tubular sections |26 and |21 are moved into position overthe hose and interfltted with each other. As each section |26 or |21 isadded the assembly may be lowered slightly. Thus the interfitting of thesections may be accomplished just above the inlet to the tank without agreat deal of head room being required. In Fig. 19 I have illustratedwhat may be a cellar beam |39, to indicate the cramped space in which itis sometimes necessary to work in order to clean a tank.

In the apparatus shown in Fig. 19 I have employed a hose with thepivoted links on the inside of the hose. However, it will be understoodth-at, ifdesired, the hose may be provided with links pivoted on theoutside of the hose, as shown in Fig. 7, or may be provided with thelinks shown in Figs. 23 and 24. After the parts are assembled, as shownin Fig. 19, the apparatus is operated in substantially the same manneras above described. It will be appreciated that rotation of the handle|34 will, through the abutments |32 and |33 on the tubular sections |26and |21,

swing the tubular guide section |36 so as to swing the tool overthebottom and side walls of the tank. It will further be appreciatedthat the apparatus shown in Fig. 19 may be employed to operate thebrush, illustrated in Figs. 12 to 17, inclusive.

When head room will permit in cleaning a cellar tank, a tool and hoseoperating member, similar to that shown in Fig. 25 may be employed. Thisoperating member comprises a tube |4I, to the lower end of which ispivotally secured a tubular guide member (Fig. 26) similar to the guidemember |36. At its upper end the tube |4| is provided with a cut-outnotch similar to the notch |28 (Fig. 21). The upper end of the tubularmember |4| is interfitted with a tubular section |43 which has ledgessimilar to the ledges |29 and |3| and an abutment similar to theabutment |33 of the section |21, shown in Fig. 22. 'Ihe section |43 maybe provided with a handle |42 for rotating the tube.

When it is necessary, because of the depth of the tank, to employ alonger operating member cr tube, an additional section |44 may beapplied to the end of the tubular member |43, as shown in Fig. 26. Thesection |44 has at its lower end, as indicated in dotted lines, acut-out |46 similar to the cut-out |28 provided in the section |26. Thehandle 42 in this arrangement is removed from the tubular section |43and placed on the tubular section |44.

In Fig. 27 I have illustrated a simplified apparatus which may beemployed in cleaning some types of tanks. The apparatus comprises aseries of sections of tubing |46, which are assembled together by meansof threaded couplings |41. To the lower of the sections |46 there issecured, as .indicated at |48, a section of hose |49. The hose orflexible member |49 may be provided with external links, as shown inFigs. 2 and 7, or with internal links, as shown in Figs. 23 and 24. Thetool is operated by manually manipulating the protruding end of theapparatus so as to sweep the tool, indicated by the numeral |5|, overthe bottom and portions of the side walls of the tank. The advantage ofthis arrangement lies primarily in the fact that the parts may bepreassembled and work commenced when the job is reached merely byinserting the apparatus in the tank. However, if desired, the separatesections |46 may be assembled together, by means of the couplings, asthe apparatus is lowered into the tank. It will be appreciated that theuse of the apparatus of Fig. 27 requires sufficient head room to enablethe apparatus to be inserted in the tank andthe protruding end to berotated so as to sweep the tool over the tank walls. While a toolsimilar to that previously described, or a brush similar to that shownin Figs. 12, 13, and 16 may be employed with the apparatus shown in Fig.27, I prefer to use with this apparatus a special tool. The tool isshown in Figs. 28 to 31, inclusive.

The tool |5| comprises a head |52 which has a threaded bore |53 forreception in a fitting I 54 ,on the end of the flexible member or hose|49.

The head |52 is preferably 'circular in cross section, as shown in Figs.30 and 31, and has cut therein an elongated opening |56 which terminatesjust short of the ends of the head so as to provide feet |51. Oppositethe elongated opening |56 and threaded into the wall of the head, asindicated at |58, are a pair of supporting pins |59. The pins |59 areprovided with enlarged heads |6| which may be provided with suitablemeans, such as screw driver slots, for removing the pins from the heador adjusting the position of the pins.

Carried by the pins are members |53 and |64, shown most clearly in Fig.29. The member |64 is a scraper bar and is provided with rather sharpscraping edges |65 extending longitudinally of the member. Member |64 isprovided with a pair of enlarged bores |61, would decrease in diameterso as to form ledges |68 adapted to receive the heads |5| of the pins|59. The member |63 is provided with a pair of bores |69 for thereception of the pins. The diameter of the bores is such that themembers |63 and |64 are loosely supported by and may shift with respectto the pins. The member |63, in particular, is a heavy element and maybe made of lea-d and exerts its weight upon the scraper bar |64. It willbe appreciated that the element |63 is supported by the element |64 andis free to shift with respect thereto, while the element |64 issupported by the pins so that it protrudes through the elongated opening|55 so that the longitudinal edges |55 thereofl may scrape upon thebottom and side Walls of the tank.

The tool |5| is a combined flushing, scraping and suction tool. When thetool |5| is moved over the walls of the tank, with suction appliedthrough the hose |49, it will be appreciated that the resistance tomovement offered by the tank wallwhen the tool is moving to the left, asviewed in Fig. 31 and as indicated by the arrow A, will cause thescraper bar to shift to the right with respect to the head and thesludge and sediment to accumulate or pile up adjacent the point |75 andin front of the scraper bar edge. The suction in the chamber formed inthe head |52 will draw the sludge and sediment, together with theflushing oil, from the tank upwardly into the hea-:l and thence into thehose |49, so that it may be discharged by the suction pump. When thedirection of movement is reversed, from that indicated by the arrow A,the scraper will remain stationary until the lost motion is taken up,after which the scraper bar edge |66 at the right of Fig. 31 will beeffective to scrape material from the bottom of the tank. A space willthen exist along this scraper bar edge through which the suction iseffective to draw the refuse material into the head. It will beappreciated that the members |53 and |54 are floating on the pins andthat the weight of the bar |53 is such as to maintain the scraping edgesin scraping position on the bottom of the tank.

In Fig. 18 I have illustrated a modined form of flushing and suctiontool, generally indicated by the numeral |8|. This tool is particularlydesigned for light liquids such as gasoline. The tool is provided with abore |82 which opens into a chamber |63. The chamber is of maximum.cross sectional area adjacent the bore |82, as indicated at |84, andgradually decreases in cross sectional area towards its forward end, asshown at |85. The suction opening |66 is maintained slightly above thebottom of the tank by feet |31. The forward end of the tool may beprovided with a nose |88 shaped so as to permit the tool to be deflectedwhen lowered into the tank upon striking the bottom thereof. The tool,if desired, may

be weighted with lead to maintain it in contact e with the tank wall.The arrangement shown, wherein the cross sectional area of the chamber|83 gradually decreases toward the forward end of the tool, causes asubstantially equal suction to be, effective throughout the area of thesuction opening |86. The tool is thus more effective to pick up lightfluids such as gasoline.

While I have shown various tools which may be employed in cleaning atank and have shown various ways in which a flexible member or hose canbe made, and also have shown various arrange'- ments for actuating thetool and the flexible member or hose, it will be appreciated thatVarious other arrangements may be employed, and that, in particular,changes may be made in the form and relation of parts. It is desirablein a complete system fo-r cleaning tanks that most of the equipmentdescribed above and shown in the drawings be available, as various sizesand shapes of tanks are encountered, and also the tanks are differentlymounted and the openings therein differently located. With the equipmentshown and described the proper tool will be available for cleaningsubstantially any tank which may be encountered. It is intended that theclaims shall embrace not only the apparatus and Various arrangements ofthe equipment shown herein, but equivalents thereof, such as arewithinthe spirit of the invention.

I claim:

l. Apparatus for cleaning a tank through an opening in a wall thereof,comprising a flexible member having a free end section adapted forinsertion through said opening and for movement downwardly within thetank to the bottom wall thereof and with at least a portion thereoflying a distance along said bottom, means associated with said sectionand serving to stiften it in one plane to restrain flexing thereof insaid plane while permitting substantially free flexure of said sectionin a plane at right angles to said first mentioned plane, and meansassociated with said section within the tank for operating said sectionto swing the bottom portion thereof over the tank walls.

2. Apparatus for cleaning a tank through an opening in a wall thereof,comprising a flexible member having a free end section adapted forinsertion through said opening and for movement downwardly within thetank to the bottom wall thereof and with at least a portion thereoflyinga distance along said bottom, means associated with said sectionand serving to stilen it in one plane to restrain flexing thereof insaid plane while permitting substantially free fiexure of said sectionin a plane at right angles to said first mentioned plane, and supportingand guiding means for said section extending within the tank throughsaid opening, said flexible member being movable on said supporting andguiding means to progressively advance the free end of said sectionalong the tank wall to predetermined positions thereon, and saidsupporting and guiding means engaging said free end section and beingoperable to swing it laterally over the tank wall.

3. Apparatus for cleaning a tank through an opening in a wall thereof,comprising a nexible hose having a free end section adapted forinsertion through said opening and for movement downwardly within thetank to the bottom thereof and with at least a portion thereof lying fora distance along said bottom, means associated with said` section of thehose and serving to stiifen it in one plane to restrain flexing thereofin said plane while permitting free flexure of said section in a planeat right angles to said first mentioned plane, said means comprising aseries of pivotally connected links extending along two sides of thehose, and means associated with said section within the tank foroperating said section to swing the horizontal portion thereof over thetank walls.

4. Apparatus for cleaning a tank through a relatively small opening nearthe top thereof, said apparatus comprising a flexible hose having oneend section adapted for insertion through said opening into the tank toextend downwardly to the bottom thereof and thence to extendapproximately horizontally for a distance along said bottom, meansassociated with said section of said hose and extending lengthwisethereof for stiiening said section to tend to restrain flexure thereofout of an approximately vertical plane defined by the downwardlyextending and horizontally extending parts of said hose section whilepermitting substantially free flexure thereof within said plane, andmeans insortable into said tank through said opening for swinging saidhorizontally extending part of said hose laterally approximately aroundthe axis of said downwardly extending part thereof.

5. Apparatus for cleaning a tank through a relatively small opening nearthe top thereof, said apparatus comprising an elongated relatively stiffmember for insertion downwardl; ioto said tank through said opening, asecond relatively stiff member pivotally connected to said rst mentionedmember near the bottom end thereof so that said second member may beplaced in approximate alineinent with said first member for insertioninto said tank and may be swung laterally after insertion to a positionat a substantial angle to said first member, and a hose guided by andmovable longitudinally with respect to both of said members, said hoseflexing when said second member is swung laterally with respect to saidfirst member and the end of said hose being progressively advanced alongthe bottom of the tank farther and farther from said second member whenforce is applied to an accessible portion of the hose above the tank tomove it downwardly with respect to said first member, rotation of saidrst member about its longitudinal axis being effective to swing saidsecond member and thereby to cause lateral movement of the advance endof the hose to various portions of the tank.

6. In apparatus of the class described, a device for cleaning a liquidsupply tank and adapted for insertion through an opening in a wallthereof, said device comprising a flexible member having a head, andsupporting sections for the flexible member extending longitudinallythereof and connected to swing one upon another, said device duringadvancement within the tank having a portion acted upon by a wall of thetank to bend the flexible member and to Swing one of the sections uponanother to enable movement of the head to a predetermined positionwithin the tank, the nexible member being' movable upon the sections toprogressively advance the head along the bottom of the tank to otherpredetermined positions, and the sections being operable to move thehead over the tank walls from said predetermined positions.

7 In apparatus of the class described, a device for cleaning a liquidsupply tank and adapted for insertion through an opening in a wallthereof, said device comprising a flexible hose having a head andsupporting sections for the hose extending longitudinally thereof andconnected to swing one upon another, said device during advancementwithin the tank having a portion acted upon by a wall of the tank tobend the hose and to swing one of the sections upon another to effectmovement of the head to a predetermined posi- Cil tion within the tank,and means on the hose serving to restrain flexing thereof in a planetransverse to the plane in which it is bent, the hose being adapted fora step by step movement on said sections to successively advance thehead from said predetermined position to other predetermined positions,said sections being rotatable to move the suction head from saidpredetermined positions over the tank walls.

8. In apparatus of the class described, a device for withdrawing sludgefrom a liquid supply tank and adapted for insertion through an openingin a wall thereof, said device comprising a exible hose having a suctionhead, normally alined supporting sections for the hose extendinglongitudinally thereof and connected to swing one upon another, meansoperable from the exterior of the tank during advancement of said devicetherein to swing one of the Sections within the tank to a position at asubstantial angle to another to effect movement of the suction head to apredetermined position on the bottom of the tank, the hose being movableupon the sections to progressively advance the suction head to otherpredetermined positions on the bottom of the tank and the sections beingoperable to move the suction head over the tank walls from saidpredetermined positions.

9. Apparatus for cleaning a tank through an opening in a wall thereof,comprising a flexible suction hose having a free end section adapted forinsertion through said opening and for movement downwardly within thetank toward the bottom thereof, means including a member operable fromthe exterior of the tank for bending said free end section to positionit substantially horizontally over said bottom, means associated withsaid section of the hose and serving to stiften it in a plane transverseto the plane in which it is bent, and means associated with said sectionwithin the tank for operating said section to swing the horizontalportion thereof over the tank walls.

10. In tank cleaning apparatus, a flexible suction hose having a liquidinlet opening at its free end, inner and outer tubular supportingsections for the hose extending longitudinally thereof and pivotallyconnected one with another and through which the free end of the hose isextended, said hose and the sections thereon being insertable within aliquid holding tank through an opening in the wall thereof to apredetermined position at which the outer tubular section will extend inangular relation to the inner section and over the bottom of the tank,said hose supportin sections being rotatable within the tank to move thesuction end of the hose over the bottom surface thereof, said sectionseach being cut away at one side thereof adjacent its point of connection with the other section to permit the hose to bend opposite saidpoint during movement of the sections and the hose to said predeterminedposition within the tank, and a guard connected with said inner sectionand adapted to engage the bent portion of the hose when the sections areat said predetermined position, said guard engaging a portion of thetank surrounding said opening during withdrawal cf the sections from thetank to prevent the bent portion of the hose from contacting with saidtank when being retracted through said opening.

11. Apparatus for cleaning a tank through an opening in a wall thereof,comprising a tube for rotation within said opening, a flexible memberhaving a free end section movable longitudinalLv through the tube intothe tank to a position at which it will project laterally from the tubeand over the bottom of the tank, and means effective upon rotation ofthe tube to swing the free end section of the hose over the tank walls.

12. Apparatus for cleaning a tank through an opening in a wall thereof,comprising a flexible member having a free end section adapted forinsertion through said opening and for movement downwardly within thetank to the bottom thereof and substantially horizontally for a distanceon said bottom, and supporting and guidingr means for said sectionextending within the tank through said opening, said flexible memberbeing movable on'said supporting and guiding means to progressivelyadvance the free end of said section along the bottom of the tank topredetermined positions thereon and said supporting and guiding meansengaging the flexible member and being operable to swing the horizontalportion of the section from said lpredetermined positions over thetank'walls.

13. In apparatus for cleaning a tank having an opening, in combination,a flexible suction conduit having a free end adapted for insertionthrough said openingpmeans on the outer end of the conduit for producinga suction in the conduit for drawing waste material from the tank, andmeans associated with the conduit for stiffening it against deflectionout of one plane while permitting substantially free flexure thereof insaid plane.

14. In apparatus for cleaninga tank having an opening, in combination, aflexible suction conduit having a free end adapted for insertion throughsaid opening to extend downwardly within the tank to the bottom thereofandl substantially horizontally Afor a distance along said bottom, meansin connection with said conduit for deflecting the conduit and causingthe free end to be projected horizontally as the conduit is fed into thetank, means associated with the conduit for stlflening it againstdeflection out of one plane while permitting free flexure thereof insaid plane, and means on the outer end of the conduit for producing asuction in the conduit for drawing waste material from the tank.

15. In apparatus for cleaning a tank through a relatively small openingadjacent the top thereof, in combination, a flexible conduit having afree end adapted for insertion through said opening to extend downwardlyto substantially the bottom of the tank and thence to extend at an angleto the direction of insertion along the bottom thereof, a pair of rigidelements connected together at an angle to each other and associatedwith the conduit, said elements extending longitudinally of the conduitand with respect to which the conduit is longitudinally movable, meansexternally of the tank for swinging said elements to thereby swing theconduit, and means extending longitudinally of the conduit for retainingat least the portion of the-conduit adjacent the free end rigid inplanes approximately parallel to the bottom of the tank so that the freeend of the conduit may be swung across the bottom of the tank uponswinging said elements.

16. In a structure of the character described a conduit of flexiblematerial, a plurality of members extending lengthwise of the conduit,and elements extending through the conduit to the external ends of whichsaid members are pvotally connected, said members and elementscooperating to stillen the conduit against deflection out of one planewhile permitting it to flex substantially freely in said plane.

17. In a structure 0f the character described a conduit of flexiblematerial, a plurality of members extending lengthwise of the conduit,elements extending through the conduit to the external ends of whichsaid members are pivotally connected, said members and elementscooperating to stiffen the conduit against deflection out of one planewhile permitting it to flex substantially freely in said plane, andmeans for sealing the conduit at the points where said elements extendthrough the conduit.

18. In a structure of the character described a conduit of flexiblematerial, a plurality of members extending lengthwise of and beinglocated withinthev conduit, and means for pvotally connecting saidmembers, said members stiftening the conduit against deflection out ofone plane while permitting it to flex substantially freely in said planeby pivotal movement of said members with respect to each other.

19. A tool for use with an apparatus of the character described, saidtool comprising an elongated body, a multiplicity of scrubbing elementscarried by said body, an elongated member pivotally connected adjacentone end to said elongated body and having sufficient lateral stiffnessto serve as a handle for manipulating said body' laterally over asurface to be cleaned, the pivotal connection between said body and saidmember being so arranged that said body may be approximately alined withsaid member and form a prolongation thereof, the cross sectional outlineof said body when' in said alined position being not substantiallylarger than the cross sectional outline of said handle member, and meansincluding 'a spring tending to return said body to said alined positionwhen it is displaced therefrom.

20. A tool for use with an apparatus for cleaning tanks of the characterdescribed, said tool comprising a body section having an openingtherein, a scraper bar mounted on said body section and projectingthrough said opening, said bar being non-rigidly mounted with respect tosaid body section for lateral movement within the limits of said openingand being narrower than the width of the opening so that whenever saidbar is moved to a position substantially against one side of saidopening an open inlet space will remain adjacent the other side of saidopening, whereby upon moving said tool laterally over a sludge-coveredsurface, said bar will occupy a position substantially against thetrailingr side of said opening and the sludge will be scraped by saidbar and accumulate in front of said bar to be drawn into said bodysection through the open inlet space adjacent the leading side of saidopening.

21. In a structure of the character described, an elongated flexiblemember, a tool adapted to be moved over the walls of a tank andconnected to one end of said flexible member to be actuated thereby, theend portion of said flexible member adjacent said tool being weighted totend to press the tool into firm engagement with the tank wall, andmeans for maintaining said flexible member substantially rigid againstlateral deformation out of one plane while permitting it to flex in saidplane.

22. In an apparatus for cleaning tanks having an opening therein, aflexible conduit, a plurality of tubular members with respect to whichsaid flexible conduit is movable, said tubular members havingcomplementary lnterntting parts; to. enabler the conduit to be extendedthrough thetank opening and the tubular members interi'ltted insurrounding. relation to the conduites the conduit is fed. into. thetank, and: means in connection with the. tubular members for actuatingthe conduit from the outside of the tank through said tubularmembersafter' the tubular members are assembled.

23. A flexible member for insertion intoa tank through a relativelysmall opening therein, to operate a cleaning member within said tank,said flexible member including a flexible element, rigid linksvextending lengthwise of said element in closely associated relation withtwo exteriorly opposite sides onlyf of said'. element and pivotallyconnected' for oscillation relatively to; eachother about axes which areall substantially parallel to each other sor that said links-.and said.Aflexible element may flex within a plane perpendicular to said pivotalaxesk and are held against' substantial deilection laterally out` ofsaidl plane, the other sides oi" said iiexible member which form theinner and outer surfaces of a curve when said memberisfiexedfpresenting. relatively smoothv and unbroken surfaces in'y a:longitudinal direction sothat the flexible member may be readilywithdrawn from said tank through saldi small opening, and meansv totattaching a. cleaning tool to one end of said flexible.A member for'vactuation thereby.

24. A tank-cleaning tool for insertion into a tank through a relativelysmall opening'therein, said tool' including` an elongated handleportion, an elongated working head' pivotallysecured to said; handleportion for oscillation about a pivotal axis substantially perpendiculartothe directions of elongation of both said handle. portion and said'working head1, so that said workmg head mayr swing about said axis to.various angular posi"-l tions relative to said handle portion, saidaxisbeing located substantially at the extremity o! said handle portion,and means for swinging said head about said axis to aline it with saidhandle portion, said head and said handle portion when alined with eachother both having relatively small cross: sectional outlines so thatsaid handle portiony and said head may be readily withdrawn from saidtank through said small opening.

25. A construction as described in claim 24,111 which said means forswinging said head comprises a. spring constantly tending to turn saidhead relatively to said handle portion in one diy rection, and abutmentmeans limiting the swing.-

ment and extending lengthwise thereof, said linksv being pivotallyconnected for oscillationV relative to each other about axes which areall substantially parallel to each other so that said links and saidelement may' ilex Within a plane perpendicular toY said pivotal axes andare held against substantial deilection laterally out of said' plane,the exterior sides of said element which form the inner and outersurfaces of a curve when said element is flexed presenting relativelysmooth and.' unbroken surfaces in a, longitudinal direction so that saidmember may be readily withdrawn from said tank through said smallopening, and means for attaching a cleaning; tool to one end of saidmember for actuation thereby.

CHARLES E. SENKE.

